Comparing Tractor Top Link Options - Hydraulic, Fixed, Chain, Floating

[@davidbalvin8112]

Good analysis Brock. One of the main reasons Harry Ferguson invented the three point system was to solve the problem of Ford tractors flipping over backwards and pinning or killing the operator underneath when the implement caught on something solid. A stiff Top Link keeps the tractor from going all the way over, a chain does not.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Good point

[@larrywelch4979]

That is ridiculous. If a tractor goes over backwards that little stamped rod ain't gonna stop shit

[@paulcasefarms9933]

I have a neighbor that would haul his firewood up in a carryall and take the toplink loose and lift to dump the wood off. It worked great.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for sharing

[@T_Humphries]

I was researching using a chain as a top link for a 5' rotary cutter I use sometimes and found some stories where during forward travel the frame of the cutter had hung on a stump causing the cutter to flip up really high off the ground causing damage to the rear of the tractor and damage to the PTO shaft. With a chain top link the lift arms are basically a pivot point and have no limiter to how far the cutter can flip upwards. I now use a 10' pull type cutter that hugs the ground much better and does a much better job

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for the info Hooking a stump could be a bad deal with the chain on it

[@MusicandMachines]

This happened to me. I was traveling in high range moving from one spot to another. My Dad was following on 4wheeler behind me. It hung a stump, threw me forward into the steering wheel, and the bush hog tail wheel almost hit me in the back of the head. My Dad saw it happen and just knew I had gotten hit by the bush hog. Thankfully just had sore knees and the wind knocked out of me.

[@T_Humphries]

@@MusicandMachines I bet that was a wild ride!

[@theElderberryFarmer]

That was a very clear and complete description of the various types of top links that one would typically encounter, Brock. Thanks for sharing that info! Take care and God Bless.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks

[@dustdevl1043]

All good things to know, should help a lot of folks with questions.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

I hope so. I appreciate you.

[@marvincombs1928]

Being new to using a tractor I have only used a tiller. Now I have moved other attachments around for example moving them on or off a trailer. I'm glad you touched on this as being new to using the different attachments I'm going to need to consider the other options. Thank you.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Yeah, I was new to this a couple years ago. Don’t let it intimidate you. Do a little research and you’ll get it all figured out in no time.

[@GFD472]

That was a great run down Brock!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks

[@codyjlee]

Thanks for walking through the options, it's great info for a beginner. I've got experience with a fixed top link but not a chain or hydraulic top link.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks

[@Cowboy_Steve]

Howdy Brock - my knowledge in this area is... lacking. So this was good stuff for me! Thanks for sharing 🤠

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for watching

[@kirkbrinkley6990]

As a subcompact tractor owner (John Deere 1023e), the hydraulic top link is very useful for loading and unloading a trailer. The little tractors like mine can't lift an attachment high enough sometimes to allow clearance. Being able to quickly shorten the top link hydraulically is a game changer. Before adding the hydraulic link, I struggled every time I loaded my trailer because my box blade, rake, or rotary cutter would drag the ground.

[@lawsonlawnandfarm8073]

With the hydraulic top link could you put the valve in float mode and have a floating affect like with a chain? While I get the concept of a chain I found that interesting I’ve been around tractors and farming all my life and never seen anyone use a chain but I get how it would be a good idea

[@timziegler9358]

Good video! Answered many of my questions. Thank you.

[@clintbowen1305]

I assume the mascio "float" can be accomplished with the little "Y" adapter that comes with some quick hitches? Also would be good to cover the "float" function on your rear remote

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Good points

[@SimonCoates]

Most hydraulic top links have double check valves and whilst excellent for safety they will prevent the spool float from working. For a floating top link it would require a top link without check valves.

[@unclebuck5957]

I agree with you with the hydraulic link

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for watching

[@bobpurs]

Hydraulic top link are so nice. Didn’t have one for years and put one on my new tractor and really like it. Go explication Brock.

[@RandyBeretta-db5bg]

Great Video!

[@stephenlehr6020]

Good coverage on the subject. For anyone that does not have a hydraulic top link, another slight negative (or just something to realize first) is that they are heavier than the standard top link and can be a bit more of a pain to connect to implements if you don't have a quick hitch, as unless you have a small open station tractor, you likely can not reach the lever to adjust the top link length while you are holding it and trying to align it (especially if you have a mid to larger cab tractor). Not the end of the world and on some implements it is still easy, some though are more of a pain. Not an issue if you keep a quick hitch on all the time (or there is more than one of you around....). Brock, it looks like you could get a small amount more rear pick up (probably not enough to help....) if you attach the flails floating link to the top link hole below the slotted hole you have it attached to (the pto shaft hanger may end up in the way of the floating link to go way back though). Currently you have essentially a double floating top link there as the slotted hole can be used without the added link to give you a small limited amount of float, which would give you a lot more ability to pick the rear of the flail up, but would reduce your overall float capability quite a bit. Anyways, likely nothing you don't already know (may help others), have a good one!!

[@chappy2312]

I’m gonna start reading to the comments, but I’m curious to know what is the length of that adjustable top link? Just trying to gauge what that manufacture thought would be acceptable. Let’s say 6 inches and maybe that’s the equation I would use on a chain. Meaning once I level my rake, I add the 6 inches to the chain and that would be my amount of fall. Let me know the length of that adjustable link in your thoughts thanks.

[@BigDaddyAddyMS]

You just need a check valve on the top link and it can’t move by itself. Mine will hold position forever.

[@frankashworth5961]

To increase your attachment's uptilt, with that setup, mount your arms in the top holes of the mower. A couple more inches of upward travel for your assurance.

[@user-rw7xd7qy3j]

Silly question. I have a 1025r but I have no idea if I get a hydraulic top link if I have controls to operate that from my seat. How can I tell if I have those controls before I buy the hydraulic top link?

[@oefveteran09]

Enjoyable video; I like my hydraulic top-link, but I have never been able to get all the leaks out of it.

[@eddierock84]

Hi Brock, firstly thanks very much for you very descriptive information about all the top links in use. I'm sold on the idea now of getting a hydraulic top link with check valves as TTWT has mentioned on his channel recently. As I may have mentioned in previous comments I have the Maschio offset frail mower 120. My 1026R 3 point does struggle to get it fully lifted off the ground unless fully retracted. With a hydraulic top link I might get a additional advantage. Brock I would like to make comment on your video at 13:10 ( frustrated that the top link didn't help you get additional lift over rocky ground. ) Forgive me if I'm wrong but why not just lift the link arms slightly ? This would give the additional clearance you might require. On my Maschio 120 unit I have the skid shoes set to give most clearance to prevent hammer damage. Thanks again for the videos and pleased to see you liking the frail mower results.

[@MusicandMachines]

I had a chain top link with a bush hog on one time. I was traveling at high speed and didn’t have my mower up high enough. I unknowingly straddled a stump and it was just high enough to catch the front of the mower when I went over. I came to a sudden stop and it flipped my brush hog all the way vertical. My dad was right behind me in a 4 wheeler and said he just knew the tail wheel had hit me in the head. I was thrown forward enough to bash my knees pretty good.

[@karl-egertdaskov6217]

i resently bought a early 60s tractor and i have a hydraulic toplink on it and i like it i have a 3pt bucket on it and also plan on making a set of forks for it to move pallets so what i found is as long as the silinder is strong enough its fantastic but it mostly dont because its a old silinder and has like 4 feet of leverage with that bucket but i might have gone into the pressure relief part of the valve its a old machine and the valve has multible positions on the same lever so i dont know yet havent had too much seat time on it because i work long hours so it has been sitting a while also its very loud starter because of the pony motor start

[@familyacres2021]

When going over rocks just lift the thing up you want it to flex to be able to roll over things.

[@Mcculock]

Most bush cutters come with three point frame to attach to tractor and a chain used from that three point frame back to cutter frame so back of cutter can run with the ground level this is the cutters with the wheel to support back of bush cutter

[@arthursharpe9681]

What if you changed your hydraulic top link to one that is 2 or 3 inches shorter

[@williamfenner9915]

You definitely don't want to be shooting out of rear of your mower. You definitely want it to float.

[@sladeoriginal]

I cant imagine why anyone would use a chain to bush hog instead of just loosening out their top link. If you're putting it on a trailer you need the top link to be tight to lift up the deck

[@twlyons1]

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